Portable credit card and check verifying apparatus

Abstract

Manually portable equipment for use at locations remote from a business promises or office for wireless credit card and/or check verification. The equipment includes a cell phone and/or wireless transceiver preferably capable of operation via direct satellite link, in addition to a terminal, interface, check reader, and printer, in various combinations. A rechargeable DC battery provides operating power to the components for a relatively long-time period.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Manually portable equipment for wireless transmission and reception of data for verification of credit and/or checking information, said equipment comprising: 
 a) a wireless transceiver;    b) a data terminal including at least one of credit and check data entry means;    c) a rechargable DC battery external to both said transceiver and said data terminal;    d) wiring connecting said battery to both said transceiver and said terminal; said battery providing the sole source of operating power to said transceiver and said data terminal.    
     
     
         2 . The equipment of  claim 1  wherein said transceiver is configured to communicate data via direct satellite link from essentially any location in the world.  
     
     
         3 . The equipment of  claim 2  wherein said terminal communication credit card data to said transceiver and receives responding credit card data from said transceiver.  
     
     
         4 . The equipment of  claim 2  including a check reader and associated check reader adapter for generating signals commensurate with indicia printed or encoded on a check and for applying said signals to said transceiver for transmission thereof as at least part of said data.  
     
     
         5 . The equipment of  claim 2  and further including a simulated telephone line connecting said terminal to said transceiver.  
     
     
         6 . The equipment of  claim 2  and further including a cordless telephone connected to said terminal.